“Thank you,” Elana politely said as she accepted the cup of steaming coffee from him.

They were in his workshop, having come to discuss their visit to Elana’s house.

The meeting itself had already been delayed. They were meant to meet the Duke during his birthday celebration, but circumstances intervened. Not only had something happened with Adrian, Elana too had her own share of trouble, and they were unable to attend the event.

“I believe it really helped you, Nytharos’s death,” Adrian said as he pulled a stool closer and sat across from her.

Elana noticed that the man was deliberately keeping some distance. She frowned slightly, but dismissed the thought before replying. “Yes, it did. Although his death brought a few complications into my daily life, the benefits far outweighed them.”

For several days after Nytharos departed from the world, or at least a part of him did, Elana had been plagued by a strange sensation that left her constantly exhausted and listless.

Still, she gathered herself and focused on what truly mattered. This assessment was important, not just for her own sake, but also because she wished to graduate with flying colors and avoid bringing embarrassment to her professor and her father.

“That reminds me, sir,” Elana said as she looked up at him. “What about Miss Annabelle? Was she experiencing something similar?”

Adrian hummed in response. “Yes, she was. But in her case, she said it did not bother her much.”

Before Annabelle left for Vermillion Manor, Adrian had asked whether she too felt weakened. While she admitted that there were some changes, they neither hindered her work nor caused any noticeable alteration in the behavior of her mana.

Elana could not help but give a wry smile at that. ‘I suppose that is what makes her the strongest Warden…’

Adrian seemed to read her thoughts and smoothly changed the topic. “So, have you made any plans for your vacation?”

Elana blinked, momentarily confused about which vacation he meant. Adrian clarified, “I mean, you are not planning to jump straight into the working field the moment you leave the campus, are you?”

Elana smiled softly. “Regardless of what I want, I still need to wait two months before I can join the Tower and begin my internship.”

Adrian looked genuinely surprised. “I thought your goal was to become a teacher. Are you… considering something else?”

For a brief moment, he paused. Was that disappointment in his voice?

Judging from the slight surprise on Elana’s face, Adrian realized she had sensed it as well.

A gentle, charming smile curved her lips as she shook her head. “My goal will never change, sir. I will become a teacher at the Runebound. However, instead of going through two years of internship at smaller academies as I originally planned, I found a better and more efficient path.”

She continued, “If I work for the Tower, preferably within the Celestial Hall, for six months and publish my own research paper, I will earn the eligibility to become a teacher at the academy.”

Adrian hummed and tilted his head. “I do not recall ever hearing of such a method. And to begin with, were you not aiming to become an instructor rather than a professor?”

There was no doubt that Elana was brilliant in her studies. Even her combat ability and mana control were more than sufficient to secure her a position as an instructor.

However, she lacked a few qualities that role demanded.

Communication skills.

Adrian believed that, aside from himself and Aries, hardly anyone had ever heard her speak more than a few words until now. Yet a teacher, especially an instructor, needed to grow accustomed to constant interaction with others.

“I… well, whether I become an instructor or not depends on the Headmistress,” Elana replied. “She only told me to complete my internship first. After that, she will decide which role suits me best.”

Adrian was taken aback. “Wait. The Headmistress?”

Elana nodded. “She was the one who told me about this shortened path to becoming a teacher in the first place.”

Adrian let out a sigh. Of course. How could he have known about something that had only come into existence recently?

“Regardless,” Adrian said firmly, “do not rush into things and think carefully before making any decision. This is your life, Elana. Mistakes are acceptable, but immaturity is not.”

The silver-haired girl lowered her head and nodded. The truth was, she had never been as certain about anything as she was about her ambition.

Once she became a professor here, the wall Adrian had built between them would disappear.

Then she would finally have the license to flirt with him as much as she wanted and then… fufu~

“Hm? Is there something you wish to share?”

“Uh, I… I was just wondering,” Elana stuttered slightly, suddenly nervous, as if he might peer straight into her thoughts. “When are we leaving for my hometown?”

“In three days,” Adrian replied. “Once I finish the assessment of the third-year students.”

Elana blinked in surprise. “So… on the fourth day, then?”

Only two days had passed since the third phase of the final examinations had begun. By her estimate, it should take another three days to assess every student, which was why she assumed that.

“No. We will leave as soon as I am done with the assessments,” Adrian corrected. “By late afternoon.”

He took the last few sips of his drink and added, “I am sorry, Elana, but I will need to return right after the meeting. The second-year examinations will begin immediately after.”

Elana’s shoulders slumped. “So… you will not stay even for a day? I wanted to show you a few places where I grew up.”

She had made so many plans. So many places she wanted to show him, and a few people she wished to introduce him to.

Seeing her expression, his heart grew heavy. It was rare for him to see Elana this sad, this openly disappointed.

Letting out a slow sigh, he said, “Alright. I will stay for the night and leave early the next morning.”

“B-But…” Elana hesitated, then spoke up, “I wanted to make breakfast for the Professor too. Is that… no good?”

Adrian groaned. “Fine. By afternoon. Do not ask for more, or it will start interfering with my work.”

Her gloomy expression transformed instantly, blooming like a fresh spring flower.

Adrian let out another sigh at the sight and thought to himself, ‘Getting cornered by a student… haah.’

Yet, he found that he did not dislike it at all.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep